The Cannes Film Festival 2017: what you need to know

Natalie Hanson   |   17-05-2017

The prestigious Cannes Film Festival opens today on the stunning French Riviera. The festival is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, and opens today with a French film starring Marion Cotillard called Ismael’s Ghosts.

Nicole Kidman will be heavily present this year as she has four projects on show at Cannes, including ‘The Beguiled’ which is one of the most anticipated films of the festival. Directed by Sofia Coppola, the drama is in contention for the top prize, the Palme d’Or. Robert Pattinson, Jake Gyllenhaal and Emma Thompson are all also set to make appearances during the 11 day affair.

Also this year, several actors are turning their hand to directing, including Kristen Stewart (directing Come Swim, a film about heartbreak), Robin Wright (directing The Dark of Night, about a woman seeking refuge from a storm) and Vanessa Redgrave (directing Sea Sorrow, a documentary about the refugee crisis). A film called Jupiter’s Moon, which is competing for the Palme d’Or, also takes a look at the refugee crisis.

From left to right: director trio Robin Wright, Kristen Stewart and Vanessa Redgrave.

There are 19 films in total that are in the running for the famous Palme d’Or prize; early favourites include Good Time, a bank robber drama starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Robert Pattinson; Wonderstruck, starring Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams; as well as The Beguiled and Okja.

Image: Robert Pattinson in ‘Good Time’

Will Smith and Jessica Chastain make up some of the members of the jury that will ultimately decide the winner, led by jury president Pedro Almodovar.

This year’s festival sees increased support for television based features, including the premier of the return of Twin Peaks after 26 years off the air, and the inclusion of two feature films by Netflix in the competition – Okja, starring Tilda Swinton and The Meyerowitz Stories, starring Adam Sandler and Emma Thompson.

Image: Tilda Swinton in ‘Okja’

However, in a little controversy, concerns have been raised by the French film industry, and in future years, films at Cannes have to be screened at French cinemas in order to compete.